Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-14
From Dauhgters of America.
AUNTIE HOWARD'S P0T-PIE
BY. A. S. BURROUGHS.

"There !" cried Phil Ledyard, with
a merry laugh, as he looked up from
his paper. SAT last | have found a
way out of my difficulties Here's q
fellow who, to find out which OF his
two sweethearts could do the best
laundry-work, gave each his washing
to do. It's q grand, progressive idea,
and what is more, fits my case to a 1.
Now, here am |, head over heels IN love
with two of the sweetest, prettlest
girls IN Kingston-am so devotedly
smitten with each that lean not choose
between them-and why shouldn't |,
like this enterprising swain, inaugu-
rate test of their respective merits
But how-send them my washing
No, indeed my wife shall never be
called upon to do such drudgery All
l have it Pot pie Next to my two
inamoratas J. dote on pot-pie 1t is
necessary, too, that my future wife
should know how to make it, so I'll
try them on that The girl who
makes the best pot-pie shall be Mrs.
Phil. Ledyard-or, rather, I'll ask her
to be-"
Phil was not joking, he meant every
word OF it, strange as the freak may
seem.
In fact, Phil was strange fellow,
full o. strange notions always doing
strange things. Had he not been he
would hardly have fallen in love with
two girls at the same time, loving each
BIS well IS the other, and both of
them to distraction.
Yet such was the case-a dilemma
the young man had been in for weeks,
with no visible way of ending his wor-
risometroubles.
The idea suggested by the newspaper
paragraph was the Moses to lead him
out or the wilderness. 1t likewise re-
lieved him Of 81 certain degree of re-
sponsibility; for, instead OF deciding
the question OF ones superiority over
the other, the girls would virtually
merely have to decide which was rated
the highest, making his choice accord
ingly.
The more Phil thought Of the mat
ter the more the idea pleased him, and
he was soon devisiDg all sorts ofshrewd
plans to engage the girls, unknoWingly
into the required service.
This was no easy task, but inspired
by the prospect OF at least finding an
agreeable solution OF the vexed ques-
ton preying upon his mind, course
of action was laid out which he
believed would prove infallible.
A few mornings later, Phil with his
mind full Of his new-formed plans,
and his gun on his shoulder, started
forth toward the wood, taking espe-
cial pains top SO by the,home Of Ethel
Gray, one ofthe youngladiest to whom
he was enamOred.
He had deep-laid purpose in view,
as will be seen.
It was easy enough to find an ex-
reuse to call for moment, and once
INSIDE the house the conversation
naturally turned to the very subject
he wanted discussed.
''What going hunting again, Mr..
Ledyard ?" asked Ethel; ''I verify be-
lieve you spend halt of your time in
the woods !"
eyes, . replied Phil; 'I'm great
hunter; I'm q great lover of wild game.
IF I could teach the cook at my hotel
to cook it a little more to my taste,
I'd soon have all the game In the
country killed. Strange that cooks
can't make good pot-pie, isn't it ?
they can't-not one in fifty
can do anything but fry, and broil and
stew I'm getting almost disguised
i sometimes think I'll become g.
cook myself ~
you'll have to come and take din
ner with us sometime, said Mrs. Gray;
ST pride myself on making good pot
pie 70
'sAnd go do - put in Ethel. "The
last Imadewas fully equal to mamma 8
and that's saying good deal, can
assure you"
"Good !" exclaimed Phil; 81 have g.
proposition to make you, Miss Ethel:
Il you'll make the pot-pie ali yourself,
unaided by your mother, III furnish
the game Is it bargain %
''Of course it is !" laughed the girl.
S'You seem to think [ am not equal
to such task, but [ am"
Phil made Mrs. Gray promise not to
aid Ethel so much as by a suggestion,
and took his leave, to procure ''some-
thing for g. pot.ple."
After an hours absence he returned
with couple Of fine young rabbits,
which he delivered TO Ethel, promising
to be on hand promptly at the even
Ing d1nnor-hOur.
He was as good az his word, and
found Ethel's dinner in readiness to be
served.
The pot-pie was good-very good,
and Phil ate heartily. But he was
not quite satisfied; he had eaten bet-
ter, and was more determined than
ever to test the skill of Carrie Denton,
his other adored one.
A week later he again took his gun
and sauntered out to the wood, being
successful enough TO bring down a
pair of nice plump cartridges.
With his game in his hand and a